SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – A retrospective exhibit celebrating the life\u2019s work of artist Natalie Klein opens Sunday at the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley.<\/p>\n
Klein spent more than 50 years as an artist, teacher and fixture of the South Bend art scene, including 30 years as a teacher in South Bend schools.<\/p>\n
Marcia and Monroe, representatives of the Jewish Federation, said Klein served as head of the organization\u2019s art committee for many years. They said Klein is still living and recently moved out of town.<\/p>\n
Marcia and Monroe said the exhibit brings together Klein\u2019s remaining art collection, spanning from an early still life piece from the late 1960s to the final, possibly unfinished piece left on her easel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an early piece of hers. I think it\u2019s from the 1960s, late 1960s. It is a still life. We wanted to show from the beginning all the way to the end,\u201d Marcia said, referring to Klein\u2019s last piece. \u201cThat\u2019s her last piece on her easel. I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s finished or not, but we liked it, so I took it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marcia and Monroe said Klein\u2019s work showed significant range and energy throughout her career.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer paintings have enormous energy and color. She had the ability to look at a sunset and paint an abstract view of it that is beautiful and colorful,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
They said Klein\u2019s style evolved from more representational work rooted in a mid-20th-century Chicago style toward abstraction.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe went from doing something from that genre of the Chicago 1950s and 60s, where everything was actually still life or known. And then she went into the abstract, which in most of her work has so much energy. You can actually see a winter scene or a summer scene,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
They said Klein did not plan her paintings in advance.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn\u2019t ever know what she was going to paint. She just began her painting, and it was a blast of color,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
Jewish Federation has served the community for about 100 years<\/p>\n
Marcia and Monroe said the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley has served the community for about 100 years as a gathering place for Jewish community members in South Bend and the surrounding area, hosting art shows featuring Jewish artists two to three times a year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Jewish Federation has been part of the community for probably 100 years. It is the gathering place of all the Jewish sects of South Bend and the surrounding area. It provides wonderful programming constantly for whatever is hot for the moment,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
Exhibit details<\/p>\n
The exhibit opens Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Jewish Federation, located on Shalom Way, off McKinley Avenue.<\/p>\n
Klein\u2019s daughter is expected to speak about her mother\u2019s work during the event. Steve Gerber, a local ophthalmologist, will perform live piano music on a grand piano Klein donated to the Federation.<\/p>\n
Marcia and Monroe said Klein\u2019s paintings will be available for purchase at the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe paintings are for sale. If you want to get something that she has and you want to have her in your collection, this is a great opportunity. It is also someone that so many people know from this community because she taught so many people, so a lot of people that will be coming are probably some of her students,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
Marcia and Monroe said Klein also led and belonged to several arts organizations throughout her career.<\/p>\n
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